Recreational fishing opportunities will improve in the Broken River and Hollands Creek thanks to the modification of barriers at two sites along the waterways.

The barriers will create an easier passage for native fish to move through the waterways.

The fishways were funded by $47000 from the Victorian Government’s Recreational Fishing Initiative.

State Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said the removal of the barriers improved migration for popular angling species such as Murray cod and golden perch, as well as the endangered Macquarie perch.

‘‘The natural-rock fishways include boulders of various shapes and sizes and have been positioned to create ideal conditions for native fish movement,’’ Dr Sykes said.

‘‘Native fish need to move up and down waterways freely to access food and shelter, avoid predators and to spawn.

‘‘As part of the project, a natural-rock fishway was installed at a gauging station at Hollands Creek, creating more than 20km of free passage. Another fishway was installed at a crossing on the Broken River, providing 15km of free passage.’’

The modifications include a new rock ramp fishway at the gauging station on Hollands Creek at Emu Bridge, near Tatong, and another at Harris Crossing on the Broken River.

‘‘The Goulburn Broken CMA has worked on the project with members of the Tatong Angling Club, who knew that barriers to movement were a key threat to fish in the local region and were highly supportive of this work,’’ Dr Sykes said.

‘‘As well as building fishways, the Recreational Fishing Initiative is improving angler access and facilities, building fishing platforms, constructing reefs in bays and inlets, boosting fish stocking, and strengthening fisheries enforcement and education.’’